This fall is the first time members of the Chargers football team looked around practice and had a number of players missing.

Having started as a program just two years ago, Getchell graduated its first class of seniors who started a number of games and contributed significant playing time last year. It's a void that is noticeable.

"We kind of prepared two years for one," said Getchell head coach Davis Lura on the seniors. "They took pride in setting that example."

Going 5-5 in the program's second season, those seniors, like Dylan Diedrich and Zander Seymer, left a strong legacy. That is now being seen in excitement around the program, which has more than 40 freshman out this year.

Not bad for a team and school that is still confusing to some.

"People still see our colors and logo and ask, 'Are you from Kentwood?'" Lura said.

Over the summer a former coach sat the Getchell defensive end down and told him he had the potential to play Pac-12 football.

That coach should know: It was Dennis Erickson.

"It was a really neat experience," Clark said. "He just said stay healthy and keep working."

There's a good reason schools like Utah and Nebraska are interested in Clark. Standing 6-foot-4 and up to 230 pounds, Clark runs a 4.7 40-yard dash and is still growing.

"With that size and speed he just has what colleges are looking for," Lura said.

Getchell will bring Clark off the edge to create havoc in the backfield, but the Chargers will also get him more involved in the offense. Clark has been working at tight end and will split him out a little bit in the spread.

"I'm excited to see what I can do at receiver," Clark said.

Fresh face: Collin Montez, athlete

When Lura talks about this incoming freshman, he chooses his words carefully.

There's a lot of unknowns.

"He played junior high football last year and never got tackled," Lura said. "He got pushed out of bounds."

Montez has a ton talent and strong bloodlines: His uncle played in the NFL and his dad played Division-I football. Lura said he's about 98-percent sure Montez will start out the season on the varsity team and will use him as a runner, lineman or wherever.

"He's going to be special. You'll be talking about him over the next few years," Lura said.

Montez isn't the only big, athletic freshman. "Some of the freshman kids are bigger than the seniors," Lura said. "I'm really looking forward to the future."

Outlook

After going winless in the program's first year, Getchell had a hugely successful second season, winning five games and three of its final five.

"I was kind of shocked at how well we did," Lura said. "Once we got the monkey off our back we kind of relaxed."

To take that next step the Chargers will have to replace four out of five linemen, a quarterback and a tailback.

Share your comments: Log in using your HeraldNet account or your Facebook, Twitter or Disqus profile. Comments that violate the rules are subject to removal. Please see our terms of use. Please note that you must verify your email address for your comments to appear.